The 22 teams still fighting for spots
From four-time champions Italy to aspiring first-timers Suriname, these are the 22 teams still hoping to reach World Cup 2026.
Six teams will punch their World Cup 2026 tickets in March
Two sides will reach global showpiece via the FIFA Play-off Tournament
Four more qualifiers will emerge from the 16-team European play-offs
As the new year begins, the excitement for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ grows stronger. The results of the Final Draw last month in Washington DC whetted the appetite for football fans everywhere, but there are still six spots to be decided.
In March, 22 teams will hope to be one of the last six teams to clinch a berth in the global showpiece, with four qualifiers coming from the 16-team European play-offs and another two sides via the FIFA Play-off Tournament, which will take place in World Cup 2026 cities Guadalajara and Monterrey.
FIFA takes a look at the last hopefuls for this year’s big dance.
Congo DR are the sole representative from CAF in the FIFA Play-off Tournament, having eliminated African giants Cameroon and Nigeria in the CAF play-offs after a second-place finish in Group B of qualifying behind Senegal. The Leopards are seeking their first World Cup berth since 1974 and second appearance overall.
Route to FIFA World Cup 2026: 31 March: vs New Caledonia/Jamaica (Guadalajara, final)
The Reggae Boyz narrowly missed out on automatic qualification from Concacaf, finishing behind Curaçao in Group B of the final round. Two triumphs in the play-off would earn Jamaica their second World Cup qualification and first since France 1998.
Route to FIFA World Cup 2026: 26 March: vs New Caledonia (Guadalajara, semi-final) 31 March: vs Congo DR (Guadalajara, final)
New Caledonia were runners-up in OFC qualifying behind New Zealand and will be seeking a first ever World Cup qualification.
Route to FIFA World Cup 2026: 26 March: vs Jamaica (Guadalajara, semi-final) 31 March: vs Congo DR (Guadalajara, final)
Iraq’s hopes are still alive after they navigated their way past United Arab Emirates 3-2 on aggregate in the fifth round of AFC qualifying. The Lions of Mesopotamia are aiming for their second World Cup participation and first since Mexico 1986.
Route to FIFA World Cup 2026: 31 March: vs Bolivia/Suriname (Monterrey, final)
By virtue of their seventh-place finish in CONMEBOL qualifying, Bolivia are in the mix for their first World Cup since USA 1994. The South Americans are targeting their fourth World Cup.
Route to FIFA World Cup 2026: 26 March: vs Suriname (Monterrey, semi-final) 31 March: vs Iraq (Monterrey, final)
Suriname came within a whisker of automatic qualification from Group A of Concacaf qualifying, narrowly finishing behind Panama. But a pair of victories in Mexico would earn them their first World Cup appearance.
Route to FIFA World Cup 2026: 26 March: vs Bolivia (Monterrey, semi-final) 31 March: vs Iraq (Monterrey, final)
Italy finished six points off of first-place Norway in Group I of UEFA qualifying, but a second chance awaits in the play-offs for Gennaro Gattuso's men. After missing out on the last two editions of the global showpiece, the four-time champions will be desperate to join the 48-team fray.
Route to FIFA World Cup 2026: 26 March: vs Northern Ireland (Bergamo, semi-final) 31 March: vs Wales/Bosnia and Herzegovina (Cardiff or Zenica, final)
Northern Ireland enjoyed back-to-back World Cup appearances at Spain 1982 and Mexico 1986, but they haven’t been back since. Should they reach the global extravaganza in 2026, it will be their fourth appearance.
Route to FIFA World Cup 2026: 26 March: vs Italy (Bergamo, semi-final) 31 March: vs Wales/Bosnia and Herzegovina (Cardiff or Zenica, final)
Wales snapped a 64-year World Cup drought when they qualified for Qatar 2022, and now they are out to reach their second successive global showpiece. They were a tough foe in qualifying, finishing just two points behind Belgium in UEFA Group J.
Route to FIFA World Cup 2026: 26 March: vs Bosnia and Herzegovina (Cardiff, semi-final) 31 March: vs Italy/Northern Ireland (Cardiff, final)
Bosnia and Herzegovina earned their maiden World Cup appearance at Brazil 2014, but have yet to return. A strong performance in qualifying in Group H, finishing two points behind Austria, suggests that Bosnia and Herzegovina will be a tough out in these play-offs.
Route to FIFA World Cup 2026: 26 March: vs Wales (Cardiff, semi-final) 31 March: vs Italy/Northern Ireland (Zenica, final)
In their lone World Cup, Ukraine impressed as they reached the quarter-finals at Germany 2006. They now are aiming for a second qualification after coming second in Group D behind France.
Route to FIFA World Cup 2026: 26 March: vs Sweden (Valencia, semi-final) 31 March: vs Poland/Albania (Valencia, final)
One of Sweden’s best performances was finishing third at USA 1994 and they would love another shot on US soil. If the Scandinavians can claim Path B, the 1958 runners-up will qualify for a 13th World Cup.
Route to FIFA World Cup 2026: 26 March: vs Ukraine (Valencia, semi-final) 31 March: vs Poland/Albania (Solna, final)
Poland are on the hunt for a tenth World Cup appearance, with third-place in 1974 and 1982 serving as their best finishes. It would also be their third successive qualification.
Route to FIFA World Cup 2026: 26 March: vs Albania (Warsaw, semi-final) 31 March: vs Ukraine/Sweden (Valencia or Solna, final)
History would be made if Albania can emerge from this play-off path, as it would mark their first World Cup qualification. They edged out rivals Serbia for second place in Group K to reach this stage.
Route to FIFA World Cup 2026: 26 March: vs Poland (Warsaw, semi-final) 31 March: vs Ukraine/Sweden (Valencia or Solna, final)
Incredibly, Türkiye have not been in the World Cup since their memorable third-place finish at Korea/Japan 2002. A new generation of players is targeting a return in what would be their third appearance.
Route to FIFA World Cup 2026: 26 March: vs Romania (Istanbul, semi-final) 31 March: vs Slovakia/Kosovo (Bratislava or Pristina, final)
A World Cup in the USA evokes fond memories for Romania, who enjoyed their best finish in 1994 when they reached the quarter-finals. Romania are seeking an eighth appearance and their first since France 1998.
Route to FIFA World Cup 2026: 26 March: vs Türkiye (Istanbul, semi-final) 31 March: vs Slovakia/Kosovo (Bratislava or Pristina, final)
Slovakia are on a quest for their first World Cup since 2010 when they reached the last 16. Their second-place finish in Group A of qualifying included an emphatic 2-0 win over Germany.
Route to FIFA World Cup 2026: 26 March: vs Kosovo (Bratislava, semi-final) 31 March: vs Türkiye/Romania (Bratislava, final)
Winning Path C would yield a first World Cup qualification for Kosovo, who enjoyed a second-place finish in Group B of qualifying, three points behind Switzerland.
Route to FIFA World Cup 2026: 26 March: vs Slovakia (Bratislava, semi-final) 31 March: vs Türkiye/Romania (Pristina, final)
Automatic qualification slipped through Denmark’s fingers with a late loss to Scotland on the final day of qualifying, but hope for a seventh World Cup remains. It would be their third consecutive appearance, with their best a quarter-final finish at France 1998.
Route to FIFA World Cup 2026: 26 March: vs North Macedonia (Copenhagen, semi-final) 31 March: vs Czechia/Republic of Ireland (Prague or Dublin, final)
North Macedonia stunned the world by eliminating Italy in the European play-offs for Qatar 2022. They came up just shy in their bid to reach the global showpiece four years ago, but now a new chance for a first World Cup presents itself.
Route to FIFA World Cup 2026: 26 March: vs Denmark (Copenhagen, semi-final) 31 March: vs Czechia/Republic of Ireland (Prague or Dublin, final)
Runners-up in 1934 and 1962, Czechia would qualify for a tenth World Cup if they can emerge from the Path D fray. It would be their first extravaganza since Germany 2006.
Route to FIFA World Cup 2026: 26 March: vs Republic of Ireland (Prague, semi-final) 31 March: vs Denmark/North Macedonia (Prague, final)
A fourth World Cup appearance is the target for the Republic of Ireland, who last appeared on the big stage in 2002. Finishing just three points behind giants Portugal in Group F of qualifying earned the Irish this play-off opportunity.
Route to FIFA World Cup 2026: 26 March: vs Czechia (Prague, semi-final) 31 March: vs Denmark/North Macedonia (Dublin, final)